Lockable roll-top bag

ABSTRACT

The lockable roll-top bag of the present invention includes a bag body, and a closing strap which permits a sidewall of the bag body to be folded and closed, with a strap lock provided to secure and lock the ends of the closing strap to maintain the bag in a closed and locked condition. The strap lock not only acts to close and lock the closing strap, but also permits the bag to be secured, in a closed and locked condition, to an associated object or structure. The bag and its contents can thereby be conveniently left unattended, such as at a park or beach, without concern of theft of the bag, or its contents.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Provisional Serial No. 62/616,577, filed Jan. 12, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to backpacks, shoulder bags, messenger bags, dry bags or waterproof/resistant and the like, and more particularly to a roll-top bag having a closing strap which permits the bag to be folded and closed, with a strap lock provided to secure and lock the ends of the closing strap to maintain the bag in a closed and locked condition. The strap lock cooperates with the closing strap to permit the bag to be secured, in a closed and locked condition, to an associated object or structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Backpacks, day packs, messenger bags, tote bags, and the like are widely used for all manner of daily needs for conveniently carrying and securing items. Frequently, these types of bags are used for recreational or other purposes, where it is desirable to leave the bag unattended, such as during use at a beach, pool, park, school, or the like. In such circumstances, it is not only desirable to permit the bag itself to be secured and locked in such a fashion as to prevent access to contents, it is further desirable to provide an arrangement by which the bag and its contents can be secured and locked to an associated structure, such as a bicycle rack, lamp post, bleachers, fence, or other movable or immovable structure, to thereby secure the bag against theft.

The present invention is directed to an easy-to-use lockable bag, in the form of a roll-top sling bag, which includes a strap lock assembly to permit the contents of the bag to be locked and secured, while the contents are hidden from view, and which further permits the bag to be secured to an associated object or structure to secure the bag and its contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a lockable roll-top bag includes an arrangement by which a closing strap of the bag can be used to close the bag, securing the contents therein and out of view. The arrangement preferably includes a locking device, in the form of a strap lock, which not only prevents opening of the bag by unrolling the folded top, but further permits the bag to be secured to an associated object or structure. The bag and its contents can thereby be conveniently left unattended, such as at a park or beach, without concern of theft of the bag, or its contents.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the present lockable roll-top bag comprises a bag body having an upstanding sidewall which defines an open mouth of the bag body. A closing strap is provided which is secured to and integrated with the bag body adjacent the mouth of the bag body. The closing strap extends along at least a portion of the periphery of mouth of the bag. By this arrangement, the mouth of the bag can be closed by collapsing or inward movement of sidewall of the bag.

Thereafter, the sidewall of the bag can be folded or rolled at least one time about the closing strap, typically several times as the collapsed sidewall is folded and wound about the closing strap. In this condition, the contents of the bag are secured therein, and the contents hidden from view.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closing strap is integrated with the upper portion of the bag body at the mouth of the bag. At least one stiffening element is provided within a folded hem of the bag body at the mouth thereof, with opposite ends of the closing strap extending outwardly from the stiffening element. This arrangement permits the upper portion of the bag to be folded or rolled about the stiffening elements, with the opposite ends of the closing strap exposed for manipulating and folding the bag. Joining the opposite ends of the closing strap to each other maintains the bag in a rolled and closed condition.

The roll-top bag preferably includes a strap lock for selectively joining and locking the opposite ends of the closing strap to each other. A suitable lock can be provided in the form of a combination slide lock, or other fasteners that can be securely locked, which permits the opposite ends of the closing strap to be releasably locked together. By securing the opposite ends of the closing strap to each other after the top of the bag has been folded or roller, the strap lock acts to prevent unfolding of the side wall and opening of the bag. Thus, contents within the bag are secured and locked within the interior of the bag body.

The strap lock can additionally function to secure the closed and locked bag to an associated movable or immovable object or structure, such as a bicycle rack, park bench, bleachers, or the like, by threading the closing strap of the bag through such a structure before the ends of the strap are secured to each other with the strap lock. Thus, the present bag can easily be secured in a closed and locked condition to the structure for securing the bag and its contents against theft or removal.

Convenient use of the present roll-top bag is facilitated by the optional provision of at least one shoulder strap on the exterior of the bag body.

The body of the bag can be suitably formed of any of a variety of fabric or flexible sheet materials, and can be made suitably water-proof so that the bag can function as a “dry bag”, such as for keeping the contents dry in rainy or other inclement weather, damp conditions, or at the beach or pool.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of lockable roll-top bag embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a sequence for rolling the top of the lockable roll-top bag of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a sequence for locking the roll-top of the present lockable roll-top bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

The present invention is directed to an economical and easy-to-use lockable bag, in the form of a roll-top sling bag, which includes a strap lock assembly to permit the contents of the bag to be locked and secured, while hidden from view, and further permits the bag to be secured to an associated object or structure to secure the bag and its contents.

In accordance with the present invention, a lockable roll-top bag 10 includes an arrangement by which a closing strap of the bag can be used to close the bag 10, securing the contents therein and out of view. The arrangement preferably includes a locking device, in the form of a strap lock, which not only prevents opening of the bag 10 by unrolling the folded top, but further permits the bag to be secured to an associated object or structure. The bag and its contents can thereby be conveniently left unattended, such as at a park or beach, without concern of theft of the bag, or its contents.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the present lockable roll-top bag 10 comprises a bag body 12 having an upstanding sidewall 14 which defines an open mouth 16 of the bag body. A closing strap 18 is provided which is secured to and integrated with the bag body 12 adjacent the mouth 16 of the bag body. The closing strap 18 extends along at least a portion of the periphery of mouth 16 of the bag. By this arrangement, the mouth 16 of the bag 10 can be closed by collapsing or inward movement of sidewall of the bag.

Thereafter, the sidewall 14 of the bag can be folded or rolled at least one time about the closing strap 18, typically several times as the collapsed sidewall is folded and wound about the closing strap. In this condition, the contents of the bag 10 are secured therein, and hidden from view. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 14 of the bag body 12 is shown as a generally straight-sided backpack-style bag, but it is to be understood that the present bag can be otherwise shaped and configured, such a messenger-style pouch bag, a day pack, a fanny or waist pack, a cylinder bag, a tote or satchel, or other configuration or style.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closing strap 18 is integrated with the upper portion of the bag body 12 at the mouth 16 of the bag. At least one stiffening element 20 is provided within a folded hem of the bag body at the mouth thereof, with opposite ends of the closing strap 18 extending outwardly from the stiffening element. This arrangement permits the upper portion of the bag to be folded or rolled about the stiffening element 20, with the opposite ends of the closing strap exposed for manipulating and folding the bag. Joining the opposite ends of the closing strap 18 to each other maintains the bag 10 in a rolled and closed condition.

In a current embodiment, a pair of stiffening elements 20 are provided on respective opposite sides of the bag mouth 16. To maintain the bag mouth in a closed condition, a pair of cooperating fastener elements, such as hook-and-loop fastener elements, snap fasteners, or the like can be provided at 21 on the confronting inside surfaces of the bag body 12 at the bag mouth 16.

The roll-top bag 10 preferably includes a strap lock 22 for selectively joining and locking the opposite ends of the closing strap 18 to each other. A suitable lock 22 can be provided in the form of a combination slide lock, which permits the opposite ends of the closing strap 18 to be releasably locked together. By securing the opposite ends of the closing strap 18 to each other after the top of the bag 10 has been folded or rolled, the strap lock 22 acts to prevent unfolding of the side wall 14 and opening of the bag. Thus, contents within the bag are secured and locked within the interior of the bag body 12.

The strap lock 22 can additionally function to secure the closed and locked bag 10 to an associated object or structure, such as a bicycle rack, park bench, bleachers, or the like, by threading the closing strap 18 of the bag 10 through such a structure before the ends of the strap are secured to each other with the strap lock 22. Thus, the present bag can easily be secured in a closed and locked condition to the structure for securing the bag and its contents against theft or removal.

Convenient use of the present roll-top bag is facilitated by the optional provision of at least one shoulder strap 24 on the exterior the exterior of the bag body 12. Small articles can be easily carried and secured within the bag 10 by the optional provisional of a pocket 26, which may be provided with a zipper, Velcro fastener, magnetic fastener, snap, or other closure, positioned on the inside of the bag body 12. If desired, the closure for the pocket 26 can be provided on the inside of the bag, thus preventing access to the pocket when the bag is in its folded and locked condition.

The body 12 of the bag can be suitably formed of any of a variety of fabric or flexible sheet materials, and can be made suitably water-proof so that the bag can function as a “dry bag”, such as for keeping the contents dry in rainy or other inclement weather, damp conditions, or at the beach or pool. Seams of the bag body 12 can be suitably sealed to enhance the water resistance of the bag. The material from which the bag 10 is formed is preferably selected for resistance to cutting or other tampering. If desired, the bottom portion of the bag body, at 28, can be made from a cut-proof material to further deter theft or tampering

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the sequence of steps that can be performed for closing the present roll-top bag 10, and securing the bag with the closing strap 18 and strap lock 22. As shown in FIG. 3, after the mouth of bag 10 has been closed and secured with the optional fastener elements, the closing strap 18 can be rolled downwardly, folding and rolling the sidewall 14 of the bag body generally around the closing strap 18. The provision of stiffening elements 20 within the closing strap 18 facilitates manipulation in this fashion.

FIG. 4 shows the bag 10 after closing strap 18 has been rolled downwardly, with the cooperating strap lock elements 22 ready to be secured and locked together. The lock elements 22 can be joined and locked after closing strap has been positioned to extend around an associated object or structure to which the bag is to be secured. In this condition, the bag 10 is secured against removal, with the interior of the bag securely closed by the rolled closing strap 18.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitations with respect to the specific embodiment disclosed herein are intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. A lockable roll-top bag, comprising: a bag body having a sidewall which defines a mouth of said bag body, a closing strap secured to said bag body adjacent said mouth of said bag body, said closing strap extending along at least a portion of the periphery of said mouth, whereby said mouth can be closed by collapsing movement of said sidewall, with said sidewall thereafter folded at least one time about said closing strap; and a strap lock for selectively joining and locking opposite ends of said closing strap to each other, so that after said mouth of said bag body has been closed by folding said sidewall about said closing strap, the opposite ends of said closing strap can secured and locked to each other with said strap lock to prevent unfolding of said side wall to secure and lock the interior of the bag body.
 2. A lockable roll-top bag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bag body includes at least one shoulder strap on the exterior thereof.
 3. A lockable roll-top bag in accordance with claim 1, including at least one stiffening element positioned within a folded hem of said bag body at said mouth of said bag body, whereby an upper portion of said bag body can be rolled about said stiffening element.
 4. A lockable roll-top bag, comprising: a bag body having a sidewall which defines a mouth of said bag body whereby an upper portion of said bag body can be rolled to close said mouth of said bag body; a closing strap secured to said bag body adjacent said mouth of said bag body, said closing strap extending along at least a portion of the periphery of said mouth, whereby said mouth can be closed by collapsing movement of said sidewall, with said sidewall thereafter folded at least one time about said closing strap; and a strap lock for selectively joining and locking opposite ends of said closing strap to each other, so that after said mouth of said bag body has been closed by folding said sidewall about said closing strap, the opposite ends of said closing strap can secured and locked to each other with said strap lock to prevent unfolding of said side wall to secure and lock the interior of the bag body.
 6. A lockable roll-top bag in accordance with claim 4, wherein a bottom portion of said bag body comprises cut-proof material to deter theft and tampering.
 7. A lockable roll-top bag in accordance with claim 4, including a pocket positioned on the inside of said bag body for carrying small articles.
 8. A lockable roll-top bag in accordance with claim 4, wherein said bag body includes at least one shoulder strap on the exterior thereof,
 9. A lockable roll-top bag in accordance with claim 4, including at least one stiffening element positioned within a folded hem of said bag body at said mouth of said bag body whereby an upper portion of said bag body can be rolled about said stiffening element. 